University of Louisville 

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The Semicolon

The semicolon is an excellent tool for connecting related ideas in your sentences.  Semicolons place a pause within a sentence that is stronger than the comma, but weaker than the period. Also, semicolons can be used to separate items in a list in certain situations.

There are three ways to use the semicolon:

1          Join two related independent clauses in a sentence.         

            Writing papers may take a mental toll; use frequent naps to help the mind

            recuperate.

            The initial popularity of the Beatles did not fade; “Love Me Do” was the

            first of twenty-seven number one hits for the group.

2          Join two independent clauses using words such as “however”

         or “nonetheless.”

            My fingers were cramping from overuse; nonetheless, I continued to type.

            Thousand of fans flocked to stadiums in order to see the Beatles; however,

            no one could hear the band over the crowd’s roar.

3          Indicate a break within a series that already uses commas.

            The colors of the teams are Louisville, red; Kentucky, blue;

            Evansville, purple.

            The Beatles were John Lennon, guitarist; Paul McCartney, bassist; George

            Harrison, guitarist; and Ringo Starr, drummer.

Do NOT use a semicolon when

• Joining two clauses which are not both independent

            Incorrect: Drew locked his keys in the car; because he is forgetful.

                Incorrect: Riding a bicycle down the street; Doris waved to her friends.

• Introducing a list

            Incorrect: Television can do many things; introduce new ideas,

                                           present compelling stories, and fry your retinas.

            (The correct punctuation mark here is a colon [ : ].)

• You think emoticons will improve your writing style.

            Non-academic: OMG my professor is so cute. ;)